Born to Monroe Piland and Palmer Blair Piland, at Pondfork Tessie A. Sallee, age 101, died in her sleep at the Strafford Care Center, Strafford, on Feb. 9, 2007, where she had been a resident for several years after suffering a stroke.
She was born to Monroe Piland and Palmer Blair Piland on Nov. 28, 1905, at Pondfork. She was a graduate of Ava High School and for many years was a co-owner of Sallee Motor Co., Ava. She left Ava and moved to Portland, Ore., in the early fifties and then moved to Springfield in the mid-fifties where she owned and managed rental property and worked as a bookkeeper.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Clifford and Edley, two sisters, Vida and Vera, and her former husband, Joe Sallee.
Tessie is survived by her daughter, Wanda Sallee Carras and husband, Nick, of Springfield, and her son, Don Sallee and wife Mary Lou, of Ava; four grandchildren, Cathy Love and her husband, Bruce, of Bella Vista, Ark., Nicki Gillespie and husband, Dale, of Springfield, Anne Sallee Mason and husband, Scott, of Springfield, and Skip Sallee, of St. Louis; five great-grandchildren, Melissa Love, Travis Gillespie, Evan Mason, Eliza Sallee and Liam Sallee; and one sister, Reba Massey of Oregon.
Tessie had many interests but her greatest love was her children and grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. A private memorial service will be held. Online condolences can be made at www.klingner-cope.com
